Portland Trip Nov 2-4

I was a fanboy of Rising Tide when there were no other breweries in the area, but their rotational beers are probably not essential on a weekend trip. If there is a limited beer available I would stop in though. Their "pavement patio" is a great atmosphere during nice weather, but may not be as appealing from now through the winter. The others should be a definite go.

I would also suggest Barreled Souls in Saco "on the way in". Easy off from the Turnpike to I-195 (Old Orchard Beach exit) then Rt. 1 north for a mile. Then you can either go back to the Turnpike or ride another 20 minutes on Rt. 1 to Portland.

The trip out to Industrial Way is worth it for Allagash. But yes, by all means sample from those as well.

Everyone has their different favorites as found in the previous Portland posts you were recommending and you can't go wrong with most. I'm a fan of Liquid Riot as far as brewery/brewpub, they have some tasty beers and food is on point.

 

As somebody who just spent a four-day weekend in Portland.

1) Skip Rising Tide. Legitimately some of the worst IPAs I've ever had in my life. And while their other beers were solid (coffee porter especially) and space nice, if you're only there a few days don't bother.

2) DO NOT Skip Goodfire. Probably my favorite beers of the 9-10 places I went when I was up there. Lone Pine was solid, though the taproom was weirdly super quiet. They're in the same building.

3) Oxbow is absolutely phenomenal. They do either eight or 10oz pours so you can try a lot, and then you can also get some fries from the Duckfat stand right out front. Do the thai chili and lobster aioli sauces.

4) Forget Eventide and Central Provisions. You won't get in.

5) Get a lobster roll from Highroller Lobster Co. My girl said it was the best she's ever had, and it is not with hypberbole that I'd call her an expert on the subject. FWIW, I, not an expert, also thought it incredible. Good beer list there too.

6) Industrial Way is only like 5-6 miles from where you're staying, and it's absolutely worth it for Allagash alone, but you can easily make a few hours of hitting everyone up. They'll all have plenty of bottles and cans to go. Get the wood-fired pizza from in front of Definitive.

7) Get a cocktail from Jewel Box and go at night. One of the most unique atmospheres at any bar I've ever been to.

8) Get a beer from Jager on Wharf St. Awesome, cozy environment. Good beer list.

9) Get literally anything from Two Fat Cats Bakery, but go early when they still have plenty of stock.

10) Go see Portland Head Lighthouse. Some truly stunning scenes out there. You can stand up on the cliffs and watch the surf crash into the rocks or go right down there yourself.

11) Holy Donut will have a line. If it's not cold and rainy out, the donuts will be worth the wait.

12) Also get a cocktail from The Portland Hunt & Alpine club. It'll take them a bit to make it and it'll be worth it.

13) Lastly -- and maybe most importantly -- go to Novare Res. Ask the bartender to pour you something you've probably never had before. Get the crab rangoon grilled cheese. Maybe get two of them.

 

You are in a great location to walk up to Oxbow, Goodfire and Lone Pine. Duck Fat is really close too and would be a great choice for a meal. They have a great beer list too. Can be busy, but a late lunch or early dinner can be no wait this time of the year. (also Duck Fat food stand set up at Oxbow)

There is a meadery and distillery right in this area too if that interests you. IMO, if this area is what you are doing for a day, may as well hit Rising Tide. They may not be the hip place for BA's to go, but it is a fun spot and they do make a wide variety of beers that are pretty good.

A non-beer outdoor thing you could do which is easy access to your hotel is take a ferry to Peaks Island. Great site seeing in the bay on the ferry as well as a fun little island to either bike or walk around. There are a few places to grab beer or lunch on the island.

I didn't see mention above of Novare Res, which is known as one of the best beer bars in the country. They have a small, but tasty food menu as well.

I really like the Little Tap House or King's Head for meals downtown.

If you want a good (but cheaper than area) seafood meal the Porthole is a dive but they do a great job with lobsters, etc. It is right behind the more popular Boone's. Right on a wharf.

Industrial way is worth the trip if you have not been in the area before. A lot of bang for your buck between the 5 breweries (really 6 because Geary's is there too).
Allagash, Austin St., Foundation, Battery Steele, Definitive.
Usually a few food truck options, can really kill a good amount of hours hanging out here.

Have fun and happy early birthday.

 

off topic, but eventide lobster roll hater crew checking in. I mean it's fine I just don't get the insane hype at all. Highly prefer traditional lobster rolls from more places than I can name.

Oysters are fantastic, though, and sick taplist, so still a must-visit if you're there for 4 days.

 

On Sundays at Bissell cans are only whatever was left over. Depending on what they're releasing, you might want to get cans on Friday (or Saturday) to ensure you get what you want.

 

Goodfire, yes. Waves has been one of my favorite beers all year. Lone Pine, everybody else seems to like it but it doesn't do the thing for me so, meh. But it is in the same building and, if it's within walking/staggering distance of where you're staying...

I'm not sure you can count on getting cans at Bissell on a Sunday. A few weeks ago I would have said definitely not but, now that it's slack season, who knows, maybe? I was there two weeks ago (on a Wednesday) and got five cases of five different beers, including leftovers, so I guess it doesn't move so fast out of season.

Industrial Way would be worth the trip just for Austin Street alone. I'm not a huge fan of Battery Steele, Definitive or of Foundation's hoppy stuff, BUT... if Foundation still has bottles of Darkside Corruption, fill the trunk with it. It's amazing stuff (but it's not a saison).

Fifteen minutes further on from Industrial Way is Mast Landing in Westbrook. Their IPA's are also quite excellent, usually a little more bitterness than you find in your typical NEIPA. In fact, I'm about to open the latest Green To Green XXIII - every previous iteration has been terrific and I expect this one will be, too.

Happy birthday!

Edit to add: Oh, and Fore River Brewing! You should be nearby to that, too.

 

This is a great list! Will actually be in Portland the same weekend.

 

mash tun and kings head are great bars with great beer lists and food. They are both pretty close to you too.

 

The Bier Cellar is a two-mile Uber ride from where you’re staying and you can easily get multiple beers from everyone that’s been mentioned in this thread so far.

You can get single cans, just know they mark those up higher than a lot of other stores I’ve seen. Still, a great option if you wanna try a host of different things rather than chancing a four-pack.

 

Also I’ll add that you can get emails of their deliveries and pre-order for pick up. Can make it possible to get local releases from the week or two prior to you being in town. They will be sitting in the cooler waiting for you when you arrive.

 

Pai Men Miyake.

 

Was in Portland last Thursday for the first time—really enjoyed Bissell Brothers for beer, greatly enjoyed the food at Liquid Riot, and loved the taplist at King’s Head.

 

If you can, stay Sunday for opening event of Portland Beer Week - Freshman Orientation. An annual tasting and meet & greet event of every new brewer in ME since last year. Always a good time.

 

When you wake up hungover, skip Holy Donut and go to Tandem instead. They have the best breakfast sandwiches and loaded biscuits you'll ever have.

Allagash is the only brewery I go to I every time I'm in Portland. All the others are absolutely worth it but Allagash is my cant miss. Barreled Souls in Saco is getting there as well.

 

As an infrequent Portland visitor who needs to maximize on time ... just a few tips on being efficient.

If you want cans from Bissell Brothers, don't wait until Sunday (you may be fine, but it's the least likely of the days that you will be there). That said, I think Bissell Brothers has the most friendly space in terms of being able to spread out and handle a crowd (even if it is cold out).

I think you need to be ready to do Lone Pine and Goodfire on day of arrival if you also want to do Industrial Way (which I think you should). Lone Pine and Goodfire are literally on top of each other in the same building. Goodfire is open until 8 and Lone Pine until 9 on a Friday. Eat before or after.

Make Industrial Way your plan for midday on Saturday. Go out and hit up whichever ones you want. They are all within the same complex (well Allagash a few hundred yards away). Come back downtown and maybe hit up Oxbow. Since this is your first Portland visit, you probably need to mix in Novare Res at some point.

It is out of your way compared to other breweries and not right next to other breweries but Mast Landing was definitely worth the visit my last trip.

If you are making time for sightseeing, I would second Portland Head Light / Fort Williams Park. Very cool place. I also suggest (if you go out that way) to add on The Lobster Shack at Two Lights. The food is good (not the best in town), but it's you, the restaurant, the rocks and then gaze off to Europe ... For only a weekend visit, the sightseeing will cut into your brewery time for sure.

 

also, best coffee in town, if you're into that sort of thing.